Sam Mendes Plans Four Beatles Biopics With Full Life Story Rights

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes is set to release four theatrical biopic films about The Beatles in April 2028, marking the first time the band and Apple Corps Ltd. have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. The films will each focus on a different member of the band, with Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. The screenplay writers include Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne, and the cast also features James Norton as Brian Epstein, Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, and Mia McKenna Bruce as Maureen Starkey. These biopics represent a major cinematic event, with Mendes directing all four films and a projected wide cultural impact given the Beatles' enduring influence in music and popular culture. While there has been some public scrutiny over casting choices, the project has significant backing from the Beatles' members and estates, ensuring authenticity and access to their iconic music catalog. This ambitious series joins a broader trend of successful music biopics that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.